Zaporozhye (until 1921 – Aleksandrovsk) was founded in 1770 as Aleksandrovskaya fortress. In 1806, Aleksandrovsk became the chief town of a district (“uyezd”) in Yekaterinoslav province (“guberniya”). Jews came to Aleksandrovsk in the 1790’s. The first Jewish meetinghouse was opened in 1844. In the beginning of the 20th century in the town there were two synagogues, two meetinghouses, a Jewish hospital, Talmud-Torah, two evening schools (for men and for women) and five private schools.

Before World War I, Jews made up one third of Aleksandrovsk population – 20 thousand out of 60. The same was the situation before World War II – 50 thousand out of 150. However, during the Holocaust times, 66.7 thousand Jews were annihilated in Zaporozhye region, including 44 thousand in Zaporozhye itself. Since January 1942, executions by a firing squad took place at eight spots in Zaporozhye region.

After the Holocaust, the Jewish population decreased abruptly. It was caused as well by the political factors which forced people to conceal and exchange their nationality. In compliance with the data of the all-USSR census of the population in 1989, there were 14 thousand Jews in Zaporozhye, but factually these figures were much higher.

Jewish life in the city was in fact aborted in 1929 when the synagogue was shut down. Only in several separate families they observed and surveyed the Jewish traditions, studied the Hebrew language. Faithful Jews secretly assembled for minyan; there was a butcher at the city market who executed kosher slaughter of hens. For Pesakh matzot was brought from Kiev or Moscow, as well as Jewish calendars.

Activities of Jewish social institutions were renewed in 1989. At first, the Community of Jewish culture was created, then – the Jewish Council of Zaporozhye region. In 1991, the building of the synagogue in Turgenyev Street was given back to the community. In 1991, the Jewish Sunday school started up, in 1992 – comprehensive gymnasium “Alef”. In 1993, the ulpan for studying the Hebrew language was opened. In 1994, after restoration of the synagogue with the help from “Joint”, rabbi Noam Schlezinger came to the city (he worked here up to 1996); then the Judaist community “Yahad” (Together) checked on. In 1995, the charity centre “Hesed Mikhael” started working, in 1999 – Jewish community centre “Mazal Tov”. In 2004, Hesed and JCC moved to the Jewish house – centre named after Max Grant in Pobeda Street. In 1996, rabbi Nahum Erentroy came to Zaporozhye. Under his guidance function “Chabad” school and a kindergarten, a new synagogue is being built. In 1999, reformist Judaist community started up.

Since 1987, began mass Aliyah from Zaporozhye. Within this period, more than 20 thousand Jews have left the city and its region. Since 1995, there is a Sokhnut office in the city. Today, there are about 6 or 7 thousand Jews in Zaporozhye (under the Return Law).
In Zaporozhye was born the founder of the first Soviet jazz band Aleksandr Tsfasman. In Zaporozhye lived the first Soviet Olympic wrestling champion (1952) Yakov Punkin.